Method and device for timer-controlled flushing of water toilets

ABSTRACT

Methods and apparatus for flushing a toilet are disclosed, the method including actuating a flushing initiator to open a reservoir discharge valve, closing the reservoir discharge valve after a predetermined period of time, and determining that predetermined period of time by means of a hydraulic timer disposed in a water-containing reservoir whereby the water remaining in the water-containing reservoir operating the hydraulic timer. Apparatus for carrying out these methods are also disclosed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for flushingwater toilets that can be flushed with one or more selectable,adjustable amount(-s) of water. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to flushing devices of the kind allowing fitting duringproduction of new toilets as well as retrofitting in existing watertoilets in the form of a complete cartridge, replacing the existingflushing float/valve device, the latter commonly being of the typeallowing only one flushing water amount, i.e. a substantially completedraining of the flushing reservoir.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Most known flushing devices for water toilets have been based on amethod of flushing utilising either manual or level-controlled flushing,i.e. the flushing valve was either kept open manually and was closedupon releasing the operating device, or was actuated manually and wasclosed upon reaching a predetermined water level in the flushingreservoir.

Ever since flushable water toilets were introduced, there has been aconstant development towards managing the flushing function withever-smaller amounts of water. Initially, the motive was to save waterand reduce the volume of the flushing reservoir. An increasingenvironmental awareness has accentuated the need for such developments,and more recently with the added motive of decreasing the emissions towastewater purification plants.

It has been known for some time to equip flushable water toilets withdevices for flushing them with at least two selectable water amounts, asmaller one, here called “economy flushing”, which may be used inconnection with urination only, and a full-sized one, here called “fullflushing”, for other needs. One example of this is described in theSwedish Patent No 131,217.

A large number of the known designs of this type are only suitable whenused in connection with the initial manufacture of water toilets. This,for example, applies to the device described in Swedish Patent No366,085, which shows a flushable water toilet having a new type offlushing valve with modified flow conditions, and to Swedish Patent No501,336, describing a novel valve device where the same control handleallows selection of economy flushing by pushing the handle down and fullflushing by lifting it upwards.

A commonly used design for such economy flushing devices, where the sametype of float-action discharge valve is used as is the case for normalflushing toilets, is based upon an additional weight with an associatedfloat, which is connected to the discharge valve during economyflushing, thereby closing it earlier, but which is disconnected from thedischarge valve during full flushing, so that the valve operates in thenormal manner. Swedish Patent No 367,226 discloses a device forachieving this function. In this case, two concentric handles are used,the lower/outer one for economy flushing and the upper/inner one forfull flushing. The additional weight for the economy flushing is locatedin the lower handle itself, which furthermore has the disadvantage ofmaking economy flushing heavy to execute, for example for children andpersons having reduced hand power capacity, e.g. rheumatics. The normalreflex is to lift the upper handle as usual which, together with theabove-mentioned additional weight of the handle, will result in fullflushing being performed more often than necessary, instead of economyflushing.

Swedish Published Application No 7706418-6 describes a design having aweight and float of the above type, which is said to allow mounting inconventional flushing devices.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,651,359, British Patent No. 2,300,006 and French PatentNo. 2,712,320 also describe various level controlled flushing deviceswith one or more adjustable fluid levels in the flushing reservoir inwhich the hitching-up of the discharge valve is released and theflushing valve thus closes. The same applies to Swedish Patent No508,084, assigned to the assignee of the present application.

It is also known on the one hand to flush by means of pushing a buttoninstead of pulling it, and on the other to operate/select two differentamounts of flushing water by pushing at two different locations, i.e. onone end or the other of a toggle switch or on two separate buttonslocated substantially adjacent to each other.

By the cited art for closing the discharge valve of the flushingreservoir at different remaining levels in the reservoir, correspondingto different amounts of water being discharged, i.e. a smaller one foreconomy flushing and a larger one, usually entailing a completedischarge of the contents of the flushing reservoir, for a fullflushing, closing of said discharge valve of the flushing reservoir isbased on the water level in the actual flushing reservoir being sensedby a float. This means, when retrofitting an economy-flushing valvefunction exhibiting two different flushing water amounts, that theretrofitted device must allow adaptation of its mechanical floatposition to different levels in the flushing reservoir in order to e.g.discharge half of the water volume. See, for example, Swedish Patent No508,084, assigned to the assignee of the present application. As isknown, modern designs have resulted in numerous different shapes offlushing reservoirs being present on the market, causing a flushingdevice of this kind allowing retrofitting to become relativelycomplicated, and thereby costly, to produce. This is the case because itmust allow for mechanical adaptation regarding its fixation inreservoirs of varying heights, as well as float level adaptation forclosing the discharge valve at a water level, in reservoirs of differentgeometric shapes, which correspond to an appropriate amount of waterhaving been discharged for an economy flushing.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,392,260 describes a device for the flushing of watertoilets, having two pre-set, adjustable amounts of flushing water. Thedischarged amount is determined by an electrical timer device,exhibiting a predetermined, adjustable period of time between that pointin time when an operating device for flushing is actuated, and the pointin time when the discharge valve of the flushing reservoir, which wasopened by the operating device, is closed again. This flushing devicethus operates like an electrical, adjustable timer, by which twotriggering delay time periods for the closing of the discharge orflushing valve of the reservoir (for economy and full flushing,respectively) can be individually pre-set.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,330 describes a similar flushing device, in whichthe timer device for determining how long time the flushing valve willbe open consists of a mechanical timer device, like the works of a watchor an egg timer, having a short running time.

These last two patents thus indicate a different method of flushing,that is to base the closing of the flushing valve on a period of time,by means of a timer device, instead of on a sensed remaining water levelin the flushing reservoir.

Even if these timer devices have functioned to some satisfaction, theystill have certain disadvantages. Fitting electrical equipment intowater toilets, where the environment is very wet and corrosive requires,in order to achieve a long service life, high reliability and personalsafety, extensive encapsulation, protective grounding, etc., which willincrease the product cost substantially. Fitting mechanical devices likethe works of a clock into this wet and corrosive environment requires,except for the electrical insulation, about the same encapsulation inorder to achieve reliability during a long period of time. This willlikewise increase the cost and complexity of the product.

Several of the known economy flushing devices also have the drawback ofrequiring careful adaptation to the replenished water level of thereservoir, in order to provide with certainty the intendedfunction/water amount when operated, especially for economy flushing. Asthe water level will often change with time, for various wear, corrosionand pollution reasons, a secure function of several of the known devicesfor a long time cannot be guaranteed without regular maintenance,something that is practically non-existent with water toilets.

Consequently, there is a need on the market for an improved, versatileflushing device for one or more adjustable flushing water amounts, witha simple construction, high reliability and a long service life, whichcomes as a separate, self-contained unit that can be manufactured at lowcost, and at the same time can either easily replace a complete,existing flushing device with its discharge float and valve, or beinstalled during production of new water toilets.

There is also a need on the market for an improved flushing device foreconomy and full flushing, which can be easily adjusted regarding thewater amount for economy flushing in most types and models of existingor new-manufactured water toilets, the function of which in practicaloperation is secure and consequent, especially with regard to the wateramount for economy flushing, independently of any changes in the fullreservoir water level that might occur due e.g. to contamination of thevalve or a deteriorated float function in the reservoir replenishingdevice. The flushing device must further be such as not to require largeforces or excessive movement in order to achieve the wanted flushing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, these and other objects havenow been realized by the discovery of a method for flushing a toiletwith at least one predetermined amount of water, the toilet having aflushing initiator, a water-containing reservoir, and a reservoirdischarge valve for emptying the water-containing reservoir in responseto the flushing initiator, the method comprising actuating the flushinginitiator to therefore open the reservoir discharge valve, closing thereservoir discharge valve after a predetermined period of time, anddetermining the predetermined period of time by means of a hydraulictimer disposed in the water-containing reservoir whereby the waterremaining in the water-containing reservoir operates the hydraulictimer. Preferably, the hydraulic timer includes a float chamberconnected to the water-containing reservoir by means of a restrictedoutlet having a predetermined outlet area, whereby the float chamber andthe water-containing reservoir normally have corresponding water levels,the method including determining the predetermined period of time byconnecting the flushing initiator to the reservoir discharge valve foropening the reservoir discharge valve and thereby permitting the waterin the float chamber to flow into the water-containing reservoir throughthe restricted outlet while the water in the water-containing reservoirflows through the reservoir discharge valve, thereby lowering the waterlevel in the water-containing reservoir below the water level in thefloat chamber, and releasing the connection between the flushinginitiator and the reservoir discharge valve to close the reservoirdischarge valve after the difference between the water level in thewater-containing reservoir and the water level in the float chamberreaches a predetermined difference.

In accordance with one embodiment of the method of the presentinvention, the at least one predetermined amount of water comprises atleast first and second predetermined amounts of water corresponding toat least first and second predetermined periods of time, the firstpredetermined amount of water comprising a full flushing amountsubstantially corresponding to the water content of the water-containingreservoir and the second predetermined amount of water comprising aneconomy flushing amount substantially corresponding to about one-half ofthe water contents of the water-containing reservoir. In a preferredembodiment, the flushing initiator comprises a first flushing initiatorand including a second flushing initiator, the first flushing initiatorcorresponding to the first predetermined amount of water and the secondflushing initiator corresponding to the second predetermined amount ofwater.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the method of the presentinvention, the method includes continuously actuating the first flushinginitiator to retain the reservoir discharge valve open for apredetermined period of time between the first and second predeterminedperiods of time.

In accordance with another embodiment of the method of the presentinvention, the full flushing amount corresponds to less than the fullwater content of the water-containing reservoir, the method includingcontinuously actuating the second flushing initiator to retain thereservoir discharge valve open for a third predetermined period of timecorresponding to the entire content of the water-containing reservoir.

In accordance with the present invention, apparatus has also beendiscovered for flushing a toilet including a water-containing reservoirwith at least one predetermined amount of water, the apparatuscomprising a reservoir discharge valve for emptying the water-containingreservoir, a flushing initiator for opening the reservoir dischargevalve for a predetermined period of time, and a hydraulic timer disposedin the water-containing reservoir, the hydraulic timer determining thepredetermined period of time based on the water remaining in thewater-containing reservoir. In a preferred embodiment, the hydraulictimer comprises a float chamber, a float disposed in the float chamberfor vertical movement therein, the float chamber including a restrictedoutlet opening having a predetermined outlet area in fluid communicationwith the water-containing reservoir, whereby the float chamber and thewater-containing reservoir normally have corresponding water levels,connecting means for connecting the flushing initiator to the float foropening the reservoir discharge valve and permitting the water in thefloat chamber to flow into the water-containing reservoir through therestricted outlet while the water in the water-containing reservoirflows through the reservoir discharge valve, and trigger means forreleasing the connection means when the float has moved a predetermineddistance in the float chamber, whereby the predetermined period of timeis determined by the predetermined area of the restricted outletopening, and the reservoir discharge valve is closed directly uponrelease of the connection means.

In accordance with one embodiment of the apparatus of the presentinvention, the apparatus includes outlet opening adjustment means foradjusting the predetermined area of the restricted outlet opening. In apreferred embodiment, the flushing initiator comprises a first flushinginitiator and including a second flushing initiator, wherein the atleast one predetermined amount of water comprises first and secondpredetermined amounts of water, the first predetermined amount of watercomprising a full flushing amount substantially corresponding to thewater content of the water-containing reservoir and the secondpredetermined amount of water comprising an economy flushing amountcorresponding to about one-half of the water content of thewater-containing reservoir.

In order to demonstrate the versatility of the flushing device accordingto the present invention, it will be described below for two flushingwater amounts; economy and full flushing, but it might just as well beproduced for one flushing water amount only, whereby one flushing buttonmechanism would be eliminated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in more detail in the following detaileddescription which, in turn, refers to the accompanying drawings, ofwhich:

FIG. 1 is a side, elevational, partially sectional view of a flushingdevice according to the present invention, with the components in theirinitial positions and the flushing reservoir water level at the fulllevel determined by the float-controlled inlet valve (not shown);

FIG. 2 is a side, elevational, partially sectional view corresponding tothat of FIG. 1, but with the flushing button 9S for economy flushingdepressed and connected in the depressed position, such that thedischarge valve 2 has opened and the water levels in the flushingreservoir, as well as inside the float chamber 5 of the flushing device,has started to descend;

FIG. 3 is a side, elevational, partially sectional view corresponding tothat of FIG. 1, but with the hitching device of the flushing devicereleased by the integrated float 6 and the triggering stud 72S of thedevice, thereby causing the discharge valve 2 to close after havingdischarged a small amount of water (economy flushing);

FIG. 4 is a side, elevational, partially sectional view corresponding tothat of FIG. 2, but with the flushing button 9F for full flushingdepressed and hitched in the depressed position, such that the dischargevalve 2 has opened and the water levels in the flushing reservoir, aswell as inside the float chamber 5 of the flushing device, has startedto descend;

FIG. 5 is a side, elevational, partially sectional view corresponding tothat of FIG. 3, but with the hitching device of the flushing devicereleased by the integrated float 6 and the triggering stud 72F of thedevice, thereby causing the discharge valve 2 to close after havingcompleted a full flushing (normally a substantially completely drainedreservoir); and

FIG. 6 is a side, elevational, enlarged schematic view of a portion ofthe housing 1 and the sleeve 30, with the aperture 32 at the opening 20thereof.

Referring to the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer tolike elements thereof, mountings and guides for the flushing device inrelation to the flushing reservoir may be designed in a multitude ofdifferent, known ways, and have been omitted from the figures forreasons of clarity, as they do not influence the principles of thepresent invention. Usually, the flushing device is placed on the bottomof the flushing reservoir, encircling the outlet hole thereof, and isclamped, by some suitable, known, longitudinally adjustable mountingdevice against the upper edge of the reservoir. The flushing deviceaccording to the present invention is, in its preferred embodiments,provided with such a known, vertically adjustable clamping device.

As is mentioned above, according to known techniques, economy flushingwas often achieved by an auxiliary weight, balanced by an auxiliaryfloat and descending in time with the water level in the flushingreservoir, thereby creating, below a certain water level, an additionalgravity force on the float-equipped discharge valve through a driverlever, causing the valve to close faster than normal. By the normalalternative of full flushing, the auxiliary weight and float are notactuated at all, but the flushing process will then be the initial one,i.e. full flushing. This type of known device may consequently describedas level or float operated, that is, controlled by the water level inthe flushing reservoir.

The above cited devices according to U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,392,260 and5,819,330 may then again be described, respectively, as electrically andmechanically timer controlled flushing devices.

In the device according to the present invention, however, there are nofloat-controlled auxiliary weights that make a float-equipped dischargevalve close more rapidly than normal.

The discharge valve of the present invention has no float. Nor is it thewater level in the flushing reservoir itself that determines when toclose the discharge valve. The time of closing is, with the presentinvention, instead determined by one or more pre-adjustable periods oftime between the point in time when an operating device for the flushingis actuated and the point in time when the flushing valve is closed,such as previously known, as mentioned above, from U.S. Pat. Nos.4,392,260 and 5,819,330. In the device according to the presentinvention, however, there are no electrical components, nor anymechanical clockwork performing said timer function. Instead, the timerfunction is fully hydraulic, using water supplied from the flushingreservoir for its function.

The closing time is, in the illustrated embodiment of the presentinvention, determined by a float, enclosed in a separate chamber of theflushing device, and two triggering studs, and two locking arms,triggering the closing of the discharge valve at different water levelsinside this separate float chamber, depending upon which lockingarm/triggering stud combination is in operation. The selection of whichlocking arm is to be operational is performed by selection of theflushing button depressed by the user. The time required for the waterlevel inside the float chamber to drop to the respective triggeringpoint for closing the discharge valve is primarily determined by twodischarge openings between the float chamber and the flushing reservoir.How quickly the water flows out of the float chamber depends primarilyon the area of these openings, as the water level in the flushingreservoir has dropped below the float chamber level. The area of thedischarge openings is thus made variable.

The float device in the illustrated embodiment of the flushing deviceaccording to the invention thus functions like a hydraulic, adjustabletimer device, by which two triggering delay time periods for the closingof the reservoir discharge or flushing valve (for economy and fullflushing, respectively) can be separately pre-set.

Secondarily, the discharge velocity from the float chamber under theconditions discussed above are also influenced by the water leveldifference between the float chamber and the flushing reservoir, butthis influence is of a lesser order and can easily be compensated forduring the adjustment.

The flushing device according to the present invention has a dischargevalve that does not need to be held floating by the water in theflushing reservoir, as it is hitched mechanically in the open position.Therefore, it is not provided with any float function, entailing asecure closing against its seal, also entirely without flushing water inthe reservoir. On the contrary, discharge valves according to the artoften require a residual water volume in the flushing reservoir in orderto close securely. This means, when fitting the flushing deviceaccording to the present invention into existing flushing reservoirs,there is an advantage in that the full flushing water amount in manycases could be increased, if required. When utilising the flushingdevice according to the present invention for new designs of watertoilets, this entails the total reservoir volume being, in many cases,reduced by the same actual full flushing water amount, allowingcorresponding savings in size, weight and cost.

FIG. 1 shows all components in their initial positions, with thereservoir filled to its normal level with flushing water. The economyand full flushing device according to the illustrated embodiment of thepresent invention consists of a substantially cylindrical housing 1,having a bottom 16, located some distance above the bottom surface 4 ofthe flushing reservoir. The housing 1 and its bottom 16 define acylindrical chamber 5, in which a substantially cylindrical float 6 isfree to move axially, in time with the water level inside the floatchamber. The float is however, in the illustrated embodiment, in asuitable known manner (not shown) locked against rotation relative tothe housing 1. The float 6 is also provided with a central bore,allowing the pull rod 15 of the reservoir flushing valve 2 for dischargeof the flushing water to run freely through the float. The pull rod 15thereby also passes through a hole 19 in the bottom 16.In this manner,the clearance between the exterior diameter of the pull rod 15 and thediameter of the hole 19 is in practice only large enough to allow thepull rod to run without chafing inside the hole, whereas the wateramount allowed to flow out in this manner from the float chamber 5 isnegligible compared to that of the discharge openings 20 and 21, thefunction of which will be described further below.

Below the bottom 16 of the float chamber 5, the housing 1 is extended bythe cylindrical portion 17, the lower edge of which, in the illustratedembodiment, is provided with a seal 3, sealing against the reservoirbottom 4, as well as against the discharge valve 2. The walls of thecylindrical portion 17 are latticed by apertures 18, through whichflushing water may flow freely into the discharge valve 2.

On the top side of the float 6 there are two, diametrically opposeduprights, 7S and 7F, which are both provided with a lifting head 71 andeach have a triggering stud, 72S and 72F, respectively, located atdifferent heights. Aligned with the two uprights, 7S and 7F, there iseach one locking arm, 8S and 8F, respectively, hinged for verticalturning in the locally thickened wall of the housing 1. The identicallyshaped inner ends 82 of the locking arms can be lifted by the respectivelifting heads 71 of the uprights, and be forced downwards by thetriggering studs, 72S and 72F, respectively, located at differentvertical distances from the float, as the float 6 rises and drops,respectively, as a function of the water level inside the float chamber5. The two discharge openings, 20 and 21, from the float chamber 5 arelocated as follows: The opening 20 lies substantially at that level towhich the water surface inside the float chamber has dropped when thetriggering stud 72S depresses the inner end 82 of the possiblyhitched-up locking arm 8S and releases the locking hook 81 from thehorizontal leg 91 of the L-shaped arm on the pushbutton 9S. The opening21 is, on the other hand, located at the bottom of the float chamber 5,i.e. so as to allow all the water in the float chamber to flow out andlet the float reach the level where the triggering stud 72F depressesthe inner end 82 of the possibly hitched-up locking arm 8F and releasesthe locking hook 81 from the horizontal leg 91 of the L-shaped arm onthe pushbutton 9F. This will be described in greater detail below.

The economy and full flushing device is also provided with twopushbuttons, 9S and 9F. These pushbuttons are both supported in thehousing 1 by through holes in the topside of the housing 1, so as to bevertically movable, and by each one flexible band 14 running over bandguide castors, 11 and 13, respectively, supported on brackets, 10 and12, suspended from the top end of the housing 1, and running under aband guide castor 93, supported by a bearing in the portions 92 of thepushbuttons, 9S and 9F, respectively. The bands 14 are, at one of theirrespective ends, affixed to the discharge valve pull rod 15, and attheir other respective ends fastened to the portions 92 of therespective pushbutton, as can be seen in FIG. 1. Both pushbuttons areidentically shaped, but mirror-inverted, and each provided with oneL-shaped arm extending downwards from the portions 92, the lower end ofthe arm being provided with a horizontal leg 91 that can cooperate withand be hitched-up on the locking hook 81 of the respective locking arm,8S or 8F, when the appropriate pushbutton, 9S or 9F, is depressed, andthe water level in the flushing reservoir, and inside the float chamber,is at its highest level and the float 6 is floating in the positionshown in FIG. 1.

The bands 14 are of identical length and their fixation to the pull rod15 is in a known manner (e.g. through a pin running in an oblong groove)designed to be single-acting (not shown in detail), such that each band14 can act in a pulling manner on the pull rod 15, but that the pull rodcannot (e.g. due to the stiffness of the band) act in a pushing manneron one band 14, when pulled upwards by the other band 14. (As analternative, the bands may be replaced by soft cords, allowing onlypulling forces, whereby their fixation to the pull rod can be madecompletely fixed). The bands are also supported on the guide castors insuch a way that they cannot slide off the castors when being slackened.This is, however, no part of the present invention and, for reasons ofclarity, is not shown in these schematic illustrations. Due to thedesign with three castors, 11, 93 and 13, a gear ratio of 1:3 isachieved between the downwards movement of the pushbuttons and thelifting movement of the discharge valve 2.

The function of the economy and full flushing device according to thepresent invention is as follows, for economy flushing:

Initially, the reservoir water level is as shown in FIG. 1. The floatchamber 5 has the same water level, as it communicates with the flushingreservoir by means of the openings, 20 and 21. This water level is soadjusted, by means of the inlet float and its associated valve, that thefloat 6 keeps both locking arms, 8S and 8F, approximately horizontal,under the influence of the lifting heads 71. The pushbutton 9S foreconomy flushing is depressed fully, whereby the situation according toFIG. 2 occurs. The horizontal leg 91 of the L-shaped arm on thepushbutton 9S pushes the locking hook 81 on the locking arm 8S aside,against the resistance of the float 6, and passes down below the lockinghook, whereupon the locking hook 81 is immediately pushed back up by thefloat and hitches up the horizontal leg 91, and thereby the pushbutton9S, in its lower end position. Simultaneously, the discharge valve 2 islifted by the band 14 running by means of the guide castors, 11, 93 and13, through the pull rod 15, and flushing water flows into the dischargevalve 2 through the apertures 18 in the lower portion 17 of the housing1 and on out through the discharge valve.

The water lever in the flushing reservoir now begins to drop. As thefloat chamber 5 is in connection with the flushing reservoir through theadjustable area openings 20 and 21, the level inside the float chamberalso starts to drop, lowering the float 6. However, the level inside thefloat chamber will drop slower than that of the flushing reservoir. Howquickly the float chamber level will drop during the economy flushingphase, will depend on the pre-adjusted total restriction area of theopenings, 20 and 21, as both openings will be below the water surfaceinside the float chamber 5. When the water surface in the float chamberhas dropped to a predetermined level, the triggering stud 72S willcontact the inner end 82 of the locking arm 8S, and start pressing itdownwards as the float continues to drop. This movement of the lockingarm 8S causes the locking hook 81 to start to move inwards, and willeventually unhitch from the horizontal leg 91, whereupon the pushbutton9S is released and the discharge valve 2 will close quickly, due to itsown weight and the Bernoulli forces from the out-flowing flushing water.As the discharge valve closes, the button 9S is pulled upwards to itsinitial position, through the pull rod 15 and the band 14. The stateaccording to FIG. 3 has now been reached, and an economy flushing hasbeen completed. It should be understood that the locking arm 8F in thiscase has not been hitched-up, but has followed the float downwards,resting with its inner end 82 on the lifting head 71. The restrictionareas of the openings, 20 and 21, have, during the initial tuning, thususually been set in such a way that about half of the water content ofthe flushing reservoir has been used up, but other volume values areequally conceivable.

After completion of an economy flushing, the flushing reservoir waterlevel begins to rise again. When the water level has reached its pre-setfull level, controlled by the inlet float, everything will be reset tothe initial position according to FIG. 1.

For full flushing, the full flushing pushbutton 9F is instead depressedcompletely, causing the situation according to FIG. 4 to occur. Thehorizontal leg 91 of the L-shaped arm on the pushbutton 9F pushes thelocking hook 81 on the locking arm 8F aside, against the resistance ofthe float 6, and passes down below the locking hook, whereupon thelocking hook 81 is immediately pushed back up by the float and hitchesup the horizontal leg 91, and in this manner to the pushbutton 9F, inits lower end position. As the triggering stud 72F is located at agreater vertical distance from the topside of the float 6, the waterlevel in the float chamber has to drop to a lower level before thelocking arm 8F is depressed and the locking hook 81 releases thehorizontal leg 91 of the L-shaped arm on the full flushing button 9F andallows the discharge valve 2 to close. More precisely, this will occurjust before the float 6 reaches the bottom of the float chamber 5, andthis position is shown in FIG. 5. At the beginning of the flushingprocess, water will discharge from the float chamber through bothopenings 20 and 21, just as during economy flushing. When the level inthe float chamber (and of course the flushing reservoir) has droppedbelow the closing level for economy flushing, the opening 20 will lieabove the water surface inside the float chamber 5. Hence, discharge ofwater from the float chamber will only occur through the lower dischargeopening 21, which thus determines the total period of time until theflushing/discharge valve 2 closes during full flushing. (See FIG. 5).Otherwise, the function is the same as was described above for economyflushing.

The amount of water discharged during economy and full flushing may bepre-set for various needs and different toilet models by providing theeconomy/full flushing device according to the present invention withknown arrangements for adjusting the areas of the discharge openings, 20and 21. For reasons of clarity, this has not been illustrated in FIGS.1-5, but the openings there seem to have a fixed area. By the preferredembodiment, however, the discharge openings for economy as well as fullflushing have in practice been manufactured like vertical, elongatedslots, 20 and 21, in the external wall of the float chamber/housing 1.Two cylindrical sleeves are then rotatably and lockably arranged aroundthe outside of the float chamber, one at each opening, 20 and 21, andwith a tight fit onto the housing 1. A profile-shaped, substantiallytriangular aperture 32 is arranged in each sleeve in such a manner thata rotation of the exterior sleeve 30 in relation to the wall of thefloat chamber/housing 1 will free a larger or smaller area of thevertical slots, through which the float chamber is drained to theflushing reservoir. (See FIG. 6, illustrating a schematic and enlargedview of a portion of the housing 1 and the sleeve 30 with the aperture32 at the opening 20). Rotation for area adjustment may thus beperformed as indicated by the arrows in the figure. The locking deviceis only suggested at 34, but may be of any known type. A correspondingarrangement is thus present also at opening 21. In this manner, thetesting and adjusting of a suitable timer setting for economy as well asfull flushing, during fitting of the cartridge according to the presentinvention into an arbitrary flushing reservoir, will be quite easy, andthe rotational position of the two sleeves are then locked with e.g. alocking screw 34. In this manner, a basic setting of the area of theopening 21 is initially performed, in order to determine a sufficientperiod of time for full flushing before the discharge valve 2 willclose, and then a fine tuning of the area of the opening 20 isperformed, in order to set a suitable closing time for the dischargevalve 2 for economy flushing.

The economy flushing amount is usually adjusted, as was stated before,to about half of the water volume of the flushing reservoir, whereas thefull flushing amount is likewise normally adjusted to empty the flushingreservoir to at least the same lowest level as was achieved before, withthe previously installed, normally single-flushing float/valve assembly,i.e. substantially total discharge of, or only with a very smallresidual water volume, determined by the design of the flushingreservoir and the previously installed flushing device.

The device according to the present invention thus provides, thanks toits function of setting the flushing time, rather than the level in theflushing reservoir, at which the discharge valve 2 is to close, a secureand consequent economy flushing being achieved, always with the sameamount of water, even if the reservoir water level for any reason haschanged from its set position or was set to be excessively high or lowfrom the beginning.

Moreover, there is a further possibility with the economy/full flushingdevice according to the present invention. The “conscious flusher” mayuse the economy flushing button 9S also after completed larger needs,but hold the button depressed until he/she observes that all the wastehas just disappeared, and then release it. The discharge valve 2 willthen close quickly, and the discharged amount of water will then beexactly as large as necessary, and will lie between the economy flushingamount and the full flushing amount.

The same device according to the present invention can also be adjustedfor three different, pre-set flushing water amounts, by changing thetimer setting for what is above referred to as “full flushing” to ashorter time, such that a “full flushing” will not empty the flushingreservoir completely, but to a position between the above-mentionedeconomy flushing and full flushing. A third flushing water amount, thatis a complete draining of the reservoir, could then be provided by theuser holding the pushbutton 9F depressed until the flushing reservoir iscompletely drained, rather than, as in the normal case, releasing itafter a short period of time and in this last case then obtaining an“intermediate flushing”.

As was mentioned above, the flushing device according to the presentinvention can be produced for one flushing water amount only, withotherwise the same properties as described above.

Also, the flushing device according to the present invention may also beproduced without adjustment possibilities for the areas of the openings,20 and 21, for an economy and full flushing version, and of the onlyopening for a single-flushing version, respectively, if the manufactureof a special model for a large series of identical water toilets wasrequired.

The seal 3 of the embodiment described may also be replaced by aseparate seal between the lower portion 17 of the housing and the bottomof the reservoir and a separate seal for the discharge valve 2.

The bands 14 used in the described embodiment could, as was mentionedabove, also be replaced by cords, for example of spun/braided nylon orthe like.

Activation of the operating device(-s) could of course just as well bemade as a lifting motion as a depressing motion.

The materials could be selected from a wide range of non-corrodingmetals, as well as synthetic resins and rubber compounds having theappropriate strength.

Although the invention herein has been described with reference toparticular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodimentsare merely illustrative of the principles and applications of thepresent invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerousmodifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that otherarrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of flushing a toilet with at least onepredetermined amount of water, said toilet having a flushing initiator,a water-containing reservoir, and a reservoir discharge valve fordischarging water from said water-containing reservoir in response tosaid flushing initiator, said method comprising: actuating said flushinginitiator to open said reservoir discharge valve, thereby initiatingdischarge of the water from said water-containing reservoir, and to holdopen said reservoir discharge valve, releasing and closing saidreservoir discharge valve solely after a predetermined period of timethereby terminating the discharge of the water from saidwater-containing reservoir, and determining said predetermined period oftime by a hydraulic timer that is disposed in said water-containingreservoir and which uses the water stored in said water-containingreservoir as its operating medium.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein saidhydraulic timer includes a float chamber connected to saidwater-containing reservoir via a restricted outlet having apredetermined outlet area whereby said float chamber and saidwater-containing reservoir have corresponding water levels before saidflushing initiator is actuated, said method including determining saidpredetermined period of time by connecting said flushing initiator tosaid reservoir discharge valve to open said reservoir discharge valveand to hold open said reservoir discharge valve so that said water insaid water-containing reservoir is permitted to discharge freely throughsaid open reservoir discharge valve which lowers said water level insaid water-containing reservoir below that of said float chamber andenables said water in said float chamber to flow through said restrictedoutlet into said water-containing reservoir thereby lowering said waterlevel in said float chamber, and releasing said reservoir dischargevalve to close said reservoir discharge valve after said water level insaid float chamber has fallen a predetermined distance.
 3. The method ofclaim 2 wherein said predetermined period of time is further determinedby adjusting an area of said restricted outlet thereby controlling atime from when said water in said float chamber begins to flow throughsaid restricted outlet into said water-containing reservoir until saidwater level in said float chamber has fallen said predetermineddistance.
 4. The method of claim 2 wherein said at least onepredetermined amount of water comprises at least first and secondpredetermined amounts of water corresponding to at least first andsecond predetermined periods of time, said first predetermined amount ofwater comprising a full flushing amount substantially corresponding tothe water content of said water-containing reservoir and said secondpredetermined amount of water comprising an economy flushing amountsubstantially corresponding to about one-half of said water contents ofsaid water-containing reservoir.
 5. The method of claim 4 wherein saidflushing initiator comprises a first flushing initiator and including asecond flushing initiator, said first flushing initiator correspondingto said first predetermined amount of water and said second flushinginitiator corresponding to said second predetermined amount of water. 6.The method of claim 5 including continuously actuating said firstflushing initiator to manually hold said reservoir discharge valve openfor a third period of time that is less than said first predeterminedperiod of time and greater than said second predetermined period oftime.
 7. The method of claim 5 wherein said full flushing amountcorresponds to less than the full water content of said water-containingreservoir, said method including continuously actuating said secondflushing initiator to manually retain said reservoir discharge valveopen for a third period of time that is greater than said firstpredetermined period of time to discharge the entire content of saidwater-containing reservoir.
 8. A method of flushing a toilet with atleast one predetermined amount of water, said toilet having a flushinginitiator, a water-containing reservoir, and a reservoir discharge valvefor emptying said water-containing reservoir in response to saidflushing initiator, said method comprising actuating said flushinginitiator to therefore open said reservoir discharge valve, closing saidreservoir discharge valve after a predetermined period of time, anddetermining said predetermined period of time by means of a hydraulictimer disposed in said water-containing reservoir whereby the waterremaining in said water-containing reservoir operates said hydraulictimer, wherein said hydraulic timer includes a float chamber connectedto said water-containing reservoir by means of restricted outlet havinga predetermined outlet area, whereby said float chamber and saidwater-containing reservoir normally have corresponding water levels,said method including determining said predetermined period of time byconnecting said flushing initiator to said reservoir discharge valve foropening said reservoir discharge valve and thereby permitting said waterin said float chamber to flow into said water-containing reservoirthrough said restricted outlet while said water in said water-containingreservoir flows through said reservoir discharge valve, thereby loweringsaid water level in said water-containing reservoir below said waterlevel in said float chamber, and releasing said connection between saidflushing initiator and said reservoir discharge valve to close saidreservoir discharge valve after the difference between said water levelin said water-containing reservoir and said water level in said floatchamber reaches a predetermined difference.
 9. The method of claim 8wherein said at least one predetermined amount of water comprises atleast first and second predetermined amounts of water corresponding toat least first and second predetermined periods of time, said firstpredetermined amount of water comprising a full flushing amountsubstantially corresponding to the water content of saidwater-containing reservoir and said second predetermined amount of watercomprising an economy flushing amount substantially corresponding toabout one-half of said water contents of said water-containingreservoir.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein said flushing initiatorcomprises a first flushing initiator and including a second flushinginitiator, said first flushing initiator corresponding to said firstpredetermined amount of water and said second flushing initiatorcorresponding to said second predetermined amount of water.
 11. Themethod of claim 10 including continuously actuating said first flushinginitiator to retain said reservoir discharge valve open for apredetermined period of time between said first and second predeterminedperiods of time.
 12. The method of claim 10 wherein said full flushingamount corresponds to less than the full water content of saidwater-containing reservoir, said method including continuously actuatingsaid second flushing initiator to retain said reservoir discharge valveopen for a third predetermined period of time corresponding to theentire content of said water-containing reservoir.
 13. An apparatus forflushing a toilet including a water-containing reservoir with at leastone predetermined amount of water, said apparatus comprising: areservoir discharge valve for discharging water from saidwater-containing reservoir, a flushing initiator for opening saidreservoir discharge valve, thereby initiating discharge of the waterfrom said water-containing reservoir, and for holding open saidreservoir discharge valve only for a predetermined period of time, and ahydraulic timer disposed in said water-containing reservoir, saidhydraulic timer determining said predetermined period of time using thewater stored in said water-containing reservoir as its operating medium,said predetermined period of time for determining a releasing andclosing said reservoir discharge valve thereby terminating the dischargeof the water from said water-containing reservoir.
 14. The apparatus ofclaim 13 wherein said hydraulic timer comprises a float chamber, a floatdisposed in said float chamber for vertical movement therein, said floatchamber including a restricted outlet opening having a predeterminedoutlet area in fluid communication with said water-containing reservoirwhereby said float chamber and said water-containing reservoir havecorresponding water levels before said flushing initiator is actuated,connecting means for connecting said flushing initiator to said float toopen said reservoir discharge valve and to hold open said reservoirdischarge valve so that said water in said water-containing reservoir ispermitted to discharge freely through said open reservoir dischargevalve which lowers said water level in water-containing reservoir belowthat of said float chamber and enables said water in said float chamberto flow through said restricted outlet into said water-containingreservoir thereby lowering said water level in said float chamber, andtrigger means disposed on said float for releasing said reservoirdischarge valve to close said reservoir discharge valve after said waterlevel in said float chamber has fallen a predetermined distance, saidfloat having moved said predetermined distance during said predeterminedperiod of time, whereby said predetermined period of time is determinedby said predetermined area of said restricted outlet opening and by avolume of water in said float chamber that corresponds to said waterlevel in said float chamber having fallen said predetermined distance.15. The apparatus of claim 14 including outlet opening adjustment meansfor adjusting said predetermined area of said restricted outlet opening.16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said flushing initiator comprisesa first flushing initiator and including a second flushing initiator,and wherein said at least one predetermined amount of water comprisesfirst and second predetermined amounts of water, said firstpredetermined amount of water comprising a full flushing amountsubstantially corresponding to the water content of saidwater-containing reservoir and said second predetermined amount of watercomprising an economy flushing amount corresponding to about one-half ofthe water content of said water-containing reservoir.
 17. An apparatusfor flushing a toilet including a water-containing reservoir with atleast one predetermined amount of water, said apparatus comprising areservoir discharge valve for emptying said water-containing reservoir,a flushing initiator for opening said reservoir discharge valve for apredetermined period of time, and a hydraulic timer disposed in saidwater-containing reservoir, said hydraulic timer determining saidpredetermined period of time based on the water remaining in saidwater-containing reservoir, wherein said hydraulic timer comprises afloat chamber, a float disposed in said float chamber for verticalmovement therein, said float chamber including a restricted outletopening having a predetermined outlet area in fluid communication withsaid water-containing reservoir, whereby said float chamber and saidwater-containing reservoir normally have corresponding water levels,connecting means for connecting said flushing initiator to said floatfor opening said reservoir discharge valve and permitting said water insaid float chamber to flow into said water-containing reservoir throughsaid restricted outlet while said water in said water-containingreservoir flows through said reservoir discharge valve, and triggermeans for releasing said connection means when said float has moved apredetermined distance in said float chamber, whereby said predeterminedperiod of time is determined by said predetermined area of saidrestricted outlet opening, and said reservoir discharge valve is closeddirectly upon release of said connection means.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 17 including outlet opening adjustment means for adjusting saidpredetermined area of said restricted outlet opening.
 19. The apparatusof claim 18 wherein said flushing initiator comprises a first flushinginitiator and including a second flushing initiator, and wherein said atleast one predetermined amount of water comprises first and secondpredetermined amounts of water, said first predetermined amount of watercomprising a full flushing amount substantially corresponding to thewater content of said water-containing reservoir and said secondpredetermined amount of water comprising an economy flushing amountcorresponding to about one-half of the water content of saidwater-containing reservoir.